May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This month, Louisville is emphasizing the importance of asking for help when needed and highlighting resources across the metro. “A lot of work is being done to make mental health services more accessible to everyone in Louisville,” said Mayor Craig Greenberg. During Mental Health Awareness Month, many advocates and people with personal experiences of how mental health has affected them will share their experiences. Michelle Jones became an advocate after her brother Pete died by suicide seven years ago. She founded a non-profit organization, the Pete Foundation. “At first, this job for us was about continuing our brother’s legacy, but it soon became about letting the Louisville community know that we desperately need to destigmatize mental illness to reduce suicide. ,” Jones said. Through their work, they created the first mental health flag. “This was created by our community, for our community,” Jones said. Now, community members can see the flag year-round in a new mural unveiled Tuesday at Maker Alley. Damon Thompson, who recreated the mural, said it’s more than just paint and bright colors. Green symbolizes strength and yellow represents hope. “For those of you who feel like you can’t escape shame, sadness, regret, or just plain depression, I want you to know that there is hope. There are people you can reach out to, and you can find light in dark places. ” Thompson said. This mural is intended to be an interactive piece of art. If you know someone who is struggling with mental health issues or has lost their life to suicide, write your own name or the name of your loved one or friend on this wall and share it with them. You can show respect and honor yourself in your steps. “For graffiti, marking a wall is a way of acknowledging our existence, and this is a way of acknowledging the people we love and the people we know who are still with us,” Thompson says. I did. Beyond May, it is a trace to help us remember the struggle and journey.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. During this month, the City of Louisville is emphasizing the importance of seeking help if needed and highlighting resources across the metro.
“A lot of work is being done to ensure that everyone in Louisville has access to more mental health services,” Mayor Craig Greenberg said.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, many advocates and people with personal stories of how mental health has affected them will share their stories. Michelle Jones became an advocate after her brother Pete died by suicide seven years ago.
She founded a non-profit organization, the Pete Foundation.
“Initially, this work for us was about continuing our brother’s legacy, but it quickly turned into providing something desperately needed to the Louisville community: destigmatizing mental illness to reduce suicide.” ,” Jones said. He said.
Through their work, they created the first mental health flag.
“This was created by our community, for our community,” Jones said.
Now, the community can see that flag year-round in a new mural unveiled Tuesday in Maker Alley.
Damon Thompson, who recreated the mural, said it’s more than just paint and bright colors. Green symbolizes strength and yellow represents hope.
“I want to tell those who feel like they are in a situation they can’t escape, whether it’s shame, sadness, regret, or just plain depression, that there is hope. You’ll find light in places,” Thompson said.
This mural is intended to be an interactive piece of art. If you may be suffering from a mental health issue, or know someone who has lost their life to suicide, write your name, or the name of a loved one or friend, on this wall and share it with them. You can honor yourself during your walk.
“For graffiti, leaving a mark on a wall is a way of acknowledging our existence, and it’s a way of acknowledging the people we love and the people we know who are still with us,” Thompson said.
Traces that remind us of the battle and journey beyond May.
